'Have any fun trips planned?'

Talking about future plans is almost guaranteed to get the conversation going, because most people have some idea of where they'd like to go in the future and love to talk about it. Even if the details haven't been hashed out yet, it's easy for your conversation partner to say, "No, but I'd love to go to ..."

'Are you from around here?'

Asking a location-based question will help you jumpstart an engaging conversation with ease because "it doesn't feel like you are asking for a stiff elevator speech," Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert and owner of The Protocol School of Texas, tells U.S. News & World Report.

The conversation will allow both parties to talk about themselves, which is the ultimate goal of when starting a conversation.

'Did you catch the game?'

Reuters

Many people love to talk about sports.

If you spy a Cleveland Cavs cap in the crowd, go up the person and say something like, "Cleveland fan, huh? Did you catch the final game?"

Or if you are a sports fan and overhear a sports conversation, it's not rude to step in and say, "Are you talking about ...?" and voice your own opinion on the big game.

'Did you hear about ...?'

This topic will get a discussion going, and it will show that you keep up-to-date with current events. That's a win-win, she says.

'Great shoes!'

Flickr/infomatique

If you genuinely like something someone is wearing, compliment them, Tillis Lederman, CEO of the professional-development firm Executive Essentials, tells U.S. News & World Report.

Not only will they be flattered, but you can also ask a follow-up question about where they got the item that could lead to a fun conversation. One caveat: Don't fake it, Lederman warns. People can easily sniff out disingenuousness.

'Have you started watching ...?'

Netflix

If it's the hottest new show on Netflix, odds are people have heard of it at the very least, and they may even be able to talk in detail with you about because they're also avid fans. If they haven't watched yet, you could follow up by asking what show's they've been into lately. You'll probably stumble on something you have in common at some point.

'Man, this party's getting crazy. Mind if I join you over here where it's a little quieter?'

Rafi Letzter/Tech Insider

Find someone on the outskirts of the ongoing conversations and introduce yourself, says Coombs.

Since they are alone and possibly looking miserable, they are probably uncomfortable with the social situation, Coombs says. By initiating the interaction, you can help to put them at ease and get them in the flow of a conversation.

'What do you do for fun when you're not working?'

Asking about someone's after-work hobbies is "semi-personal, yet still professionally acceptable to ask," she says.

"This can bring some levity and humor into the conversation while also letting you see what lights them up, what brings them real joy," White says.

'What did you think of this ...?'

Business Insider, William Wei

Conversations flow around common experiences, so bring up the one thing you know you both have in common: What's going on around you, Lederman tells U.S. News & World Report.

Asking about the party, the group discussion, or even the restaurants around the area will give you both a chance to contribute to the conversation.

"Would you have any insight or advice on ..."

Flickr/Vancouver Film School

Letting people use their expertise to help you will make them feel good and be more open to connecting with you, Lederman tells CareerBliss.

You can ask about anything from a work project to their opinion on which new car you should buy. But just be sure to genuinely listen and reflect on their advice, Lederman says. As the old saying goes, we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

'What's your reality-TV guilty pleasure?'

Brian Bowen Smith/E!

Almost everyone watches at least one show that they're at least a little embarrassed about, ZinePak cofounder Brittany Hodak tells Inc., and she says sharing those guilty pleasures with a stranger is fun.

"It's funny how quickly you can bond with someone who admits to sharing your secret obsession," Hodak says.

'What's your favorite part about what you do?'

If you still really want to find out what the person you're talking to does for a living, you could try spinning the question by asking what your conversation partner loves about their job or what's the most memorable thing that happened at their job.

This also has the added benefit of keeping the conversation positive, which will leave people with a more positive impression of you.

"Well, you guys are certainly having more fun than the last group I was talking to."

If all else fails, try something totally random that just might work, write the editors at The Daily Muse, like inserting yourself into an engaging conversation by commenting on how fun their group looks from the outside.